The Battle of the Boyne Connection

Mounted on the north wall of the chancel within the ruins of the Medieval Franciscan Friary in Baileys New Street in the heart of The Viking Triangle Waterford are a number of tombstones dating to the 16th – 17th centuries. The majority of these commemorate various members of local merchant families that lived within the city, with surnames such as Walsh, Wise, Lombard and Skiddy appearing. However one of the stones originally marked the burial place of an Ulsterman – “Sir Neal O’Neille, Barronet of Killilag”.

Neal O’Neille was tasked by James II with defending the fords of Rosnaree during the Battle of the Boyne, the fear being that the Williamite troops would cross the river there and so outflank the Jacobite army positioned to the south. Under his command he had a regiment of dragoons, regarded as being amongst the finest of the troops in James II’s army. A Williamite force consisting of cavalry and infantry units (numbering almost 7,000 troops) under the command of Meinhard (Count Schomberg) reached the ford at around 8.00 a.m. on July 1st 1690. O’Neill and his men initially repulsed them.

Schomberg’s artillery arrived after about an hour and tragedy soon struck for the defenders with O’Neill’s thigh being shattered by roundshot. O’Neill was carried from the field and the position was abandoned. Following the defeat of the Jacobite forces that day James II and his forces fled south, O’Neill making it to Waterford before succumbing to his injuries and being buried in the chancel of the Medieval Franciscan Friary. Ironically (considering that Huguenot troops fought on the Williamite side at the Battle of the Boyne) the same chancel would be granted to Huguenot refugees for their services in 1693.

Neal O’Neill’s coat of arms is carved at the top of the tombstone and is quite visible but the inscription (depending on the light) can be difficult to make out. Beneath the inscription there is a stylised skull and crossbones, a memento mori or reminder of death (literally: remember you must die). The inscription in full reads as follows: “HERE LYES THE BODY OF S. NEAL // O NEILLE BARRONET OF KILLILAG // IN THE COUNTY OF ANTRIM WHO // DYED THE 8th JULY IN THE YEAR // 1690 AT THE AGE OF 32 YEARS // AND 6 MONTHS HE MARRIED THE // SECOND DAUGHTER OF THE LORD // VISCOUNT MOLYNEVX OF SEFTON // IN LANCASHIRE IN ENGLAND

Contributor

This story was contributed by James Barry, a tour guide in Reginald’s Tower. Reginald’s Tower is the first in a trinity of museums that make up Waterford Museum of Treasures. This remarkable landmark 12th century building is the only monument in Ireland named in honour of a Viking. Situated at the apex of the Viking Triangle it houses the treasures of Viking Waterford.

Did you know… you can visit us for FREE?

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is pleased to announce that on the first Wednesday of each month, certain OPW managed Heritage Sites will continue to offer FREE ADMISSION to individuals wishing to visit these sites for the duration of their season!

Reginald’s Tower is part of this project, so don’t forget to come along visit it. Reginald is waiting for you!

1848 Tri-color Celebration

The 1848 Tri-Colour Celebration is a cultural and historical event, which commemorates the first unveiling of the Irish Tricolour flag by Thomas Francis Meagher at 33 the Mall in Waterford city. The highlight of the annual event is the official military flag raising ceremony, which will be held on the 28th, 29th and 30th June 2019.

Things to do in Waterford

Please click on the following links to find out some of the top things to do in Waterford City…..